The Chronicles of Narnia: What to expect from Greta Gerwig’s adaptation?

By Erwann Chevalier.

Published on 12 August 2025. Updated on 8 January 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AON1-Ox-Llc

The Chronicles of Narnia: Greta Gerwig’s bold new projects

Nothing seems to slow Greta Gerwig’s meteoric rise in the film industry. After the acclaimed Lady Bird (2018), Little Women (2020), and Barbie (2023) starring Margot Robbie, the 41-year-old American actress and director now turns her attention to the fantastical world of C.S. Lewis’s beloved literary saga, The Chronicles of Narnia.

More than a decade after the last opus hit theaters, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), and following the abandonment of The Silver Chair installment, the saga is set to be revived. This time it will be on Netflix, which acquired the rights in 2018. Following the negotiations led by Greta Gerwig, the film will have a theatrical release in IMAX across the United States and ninety other countries. France is not part of them. It will screen for two weeks in November before arriving on the platform in December 2026, according to the media Télérama. A chance to reunite with the tender faun Tumnus, the majestic lion Aslan, and the four siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy.

Casting Rumors: Saoirse Ronan and Meryl Streep?

In collaboration with Matthew Aldrich, co-writer of the Pixar animated film Coco (2017), Greta Gerwig reportedly has a $200 million budget for the two reboots of The Chronicles of Narnia signed with the streaming platform Netflix.

Rumors had suggested that Greta Gerwig’s favorite actress, Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, The Outrun), would take on the lead role, alongside Meryl Streep. There was also speculation that Oscar-winning actress Mikey Madison, acclaimed for her performance in Anora, might be part of the team too.

None of these rumors have been confirmed so far. However, actor Louis Partridge (Enola Holmes) is no longer expected to appear in the film as initially announced by Deadline. Besides, Daniel Craig is joining the cast of these adaptations as Uncle Andrew. Finally, Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman) is also said to have joined the Narnia cast.

Emma Mackey will play a witch

After much speculation, the cast of Narnia is finally taking shape. It is now confirmed that Franco-British actress Emma Mackey will appear in this reboot. After starring in the blockbuster Barbie (2023), she reunites with Greta Gerwig in the role of Janis the White Witch, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actress, who first rose to fame in the series Sex Education, thus follows in Tilda Swinton‘s footsteps, who portrayed the same character twenty years earlier.

An announcement that puts an end to rumors. Indeed, Margaret Qualley (The Substance) and singer Charli xcx, the mastermind behind the “Brat Summer”, have both reportedly been approached for the role of the White Witch.

A story set in the 1950s?

While the director had mentioned in an interview with The New York Times from July 2024 that she had “not yet started to immerse herself” in the project, it now seems that the wait is over. The filming on Narnia began in London on August 11th, 2025. Early images from the set suggest that the film will be set in the 1950s. A creative liberty taken by Greta Gerwig compared to the original novel set in the late 19th century…

From Barbie to Narnia, Greta Gerwig’s cinematic power

Since the release of Barbie in July 2023, Greta Gerwig has been propelled into the ranks of Hollywood’s most successful directors. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide in just a month, making her the first female filmmaker to cross the box office milestone. Co-produced by its lead actress Margot Robbie, the blockbuster sparked a cultural wave, coined as “Barbiecore.” Will Greta Gerwig spark another phenomenon as she revives the thrilling tales of Narnia?

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew by Greta Gerwig should come out in theatres in November 2026 in the United States and in December 2026 on Netflix.